Thursday, May 19, 2011

Starting Small

I grew up in a very cluttered house. Paper, knickknacks, books, stuff, stuff, stuff, everywhere!

Needless to say I have an aversion to clutter and stuff.

Although you wouldn’t know that from looking at my house.

Several things collided causing a build up of clutter. We moved in (just about 3yrs ago) and immediately got into the swing of school, kids activities, etc. We also moved in during the holiday season so stuff got placed and shoved and left.

Left to grow, and build and pile.

Nesting kicked in and I wanted to purge, I started projects, and was physically unable to complete them.

It’s consuming me, how many “projects” I have to do. I have lists everywhere, ideas overflowing. I could spend hours repinning beautiful ways to organize and decorate. However it’s not actually accomplishing anything.

I hear you saying, “cut yourself some slack, you have a newborn”

Well technically shes 3 months now, (I KNOW! When did that happen?)

I am finding that my desk is in a constant state of disarray

My to do lists have to do lists.

There are projects everywhere I look.

In the last month I have double booked us, forgotten about bills, forgotten events, failed to register for summer (on the list for today!).

It’s too much.

As I am getting more opportunities and the kids are getting more activities I need to get my office, the hub of our life, organized.

So yesterday, in between feeding baby and tackling the clean laundry monster.

I started.

Yep, with my phone.

It may not seem like an accomplishment, but it is. I have a Droid, it’s connected to my gmail accounts (I have many). So all my contacts, automatically show up in the contacts. Both awesome and troublesome. Do you know how many Erin's I had listed? (4) Melissa’s? (6). It was a mess and I was constantly pulling up the wrong people.

So I organized.

Just about every entry got a picture, I filled in the blanks, I purged people I didn’t know.

It seems ridiculous to spend the time on it, but I have wanted to do it for 2 years! 2 years!

Now it’s organized, and I’m motivated. Motivated to keep clearing the clutter form my office. Imputing the stack of business cards and tossing them. Finally registering for summer and tossing the books.

Clearing the space on the desk and in my mind so I have room to grow, and create.

Simply starting small is my simple moment this week, what’s yours? Share your words, photos and thoughts with us and link up over at Undercover Mother!

Oh, I love that feeling! In fact, I believe I CRAVE it. Not that my house bears witness. Only small corners at a time. But still :)

Have you heard the phrase "Order creates peace"? I know it probably doesn't fit for everyone, but it SO SO does for me. When I'm feeling out of control and mildly manic, I start clearing stuff away, organizing, placing...and I can breathe again.